Six things to know BEFORE buying a robot lawn mower

Like the idea, but not sure which features you need? Read on.

perfectly maintained lawn

Welcome to the future of lawn care! Robot lawnmowers are revolutionizing the way we maintain our gardens, offering convenience, efficiency, and a pristine lawn with minimal effort. However, before you invest in this innovative technology, there are several factors to consider to ensure you choose the right robot lawnmower for your needs.

Factors to take into consideration:

1. Lawn Size and Shape

Size Matters
Small Lawns: If you have a small lawn, you might not need a high-capacity robot mower. Models designed for smaller areas are typically more affordable and easier to maneuver.
Large Lawns: For expansive lawns, look for robot mowers with larger batteries and higher cutting capacities. Some models can handle areas up to several acres.

Shape and Complexity
Simple Shapes: All mowers should comfortably handle rectangular or square lawns, as they can be easily navigated.
Complex Shapes: If your lawn has intricate shapes, significant slopes, or multiple areas, choose a model with more advanced navigation systems and potentially obstacle detection capabilities. For multiple areas look for a model with Zones capabilities.

2. Terrain and Slope

Flat vs. Sloped
Flat Terrains: All robot mowers can handle flat surfaces and will work very efficiently on level ground.
Sloped Terrains: If your lawn has slopes, look for models with hill-climbing capabilities. Ensure the mower can handle the gradient safely. Keep in mind that some mower manufacturers sell extra grippy or spiked wheels to further increase the gradients their mowers can handle, and this may be a cheaper route than buying a specialist hill-climber!

Ground Conditions
Soil Type: Consider the type of soil in your lawn. Some robot mowers are better suited for sandy or clay soils. Again some manufacturers will sell wheels designed specially for muddy or dry soil-types too.
Obstacles: Identify any obstacles like trees, flower beds, or garden features. Choose a model with robust obstacle detection and avoidance systems. Some autonomous mowers will also raise the cutting level if they detect tree roots or objects on the ground to protect themselves, for these mowers it tends to be only bigger obstacles you need to consider.

3. Battery Life and Charging

Battery Performance
Runtime: Check the battery life of the robot mower. Longer runtime means fewer interruptions for charging, but this may be a lesser consideration if you don't need 24/7 access to your lawn, or your area to cut is small.
Charging Time: Consider how long it takes to recharge the battery. Faster charging times are more convenient, and will get the mower back out cutting quicker. If your mower has a bigger battery it will take longer to charge. It depends on the mower, charging station, etc, but you can assume a smaller battery will charge in less than an hour, a larger battery may take a couple of hours.

Charging Station
Your mower will come with a charging station, and it is rare that these need to be changed. However, placement can be tricky as your mower will need to be able to make it's own way back to the charging station. The charging station will need mains power, and whilst you want it to be easily accessible, you want it out of the way for foot traffic.
Weather Protection: You may want to extend the life of your mower and charging station by having a weatherproof enclosure. Some mowers come with a weather cover/kennel.

4. Cutting Quality and Features

Cutting Height
Adjustability: Look for a robot mower with adjustable cutting heights to suit different grass types and growth stages. This doesn't need to be super-fancy, but having some height adjustment is important. As mentioned above, some mowers will automatically adjust cutting height if they detect obstacles (think roots/fallen branches) under the cutting blades.
Cutting Quality: All mowers will provides a clean, even cut, however the small blades they use may become dull and need replacing. Check the replacement blades cost for your preferred mower. Most manufacturers sell these, but they can usually be found on e-bay or equivalent sites for a much lower cost.

Additional Features
Mulching: Most robot mowers mulch the grass clippings, returning nutrients to the soil. This saves you having to collect after your mower or empty it, however some specialist scenarios will prefer non-mulching mowers. Check carefully which modes your preferred mower supports.

Boundary Wire / GPS / Vision: Some mowers need a boundary wire (usually running a small constant current through it) to mark out the mowing area, whilst some hassle to set up initially, these tend to be pretty reliable. Some newer mowers use GPS instead to track where they are on the lawn and avoid the edges. This is a bit more hit and miss across manufacturers. Finally, jumping on the AI bandwagon, some mowers use machine-vision to recognise the edge of the lawn when they reach it and change direction based on that. Again, the efficacy of this varies significantly by manufacturer and mower.

Smart Features: Different models have different features in their phone app for control of the mower, including such things as remote-control and weather-based scheduling. Consider whether you need these features and choose a mower accordingly.

Non-mowing features: Some newer mowers offer non-mowing features too. Snow ploughing, a follow mode with a pull-cart to help you carry garden waste, etc. Currently these features are in the newest top-end mowers, so expect to pay for it if you need these features.

5. Safety and Security

Safety Features
Obstacle Detection: Most mowers will have sensors to detect obstacles and collisions, check which you need.
Lift detection: These sensors are used to prevent accidents if the mower is lifted or tilted, which would expose the blades. Pretty much every mower we've seen has this built in, but always check if you're buying a lesser known brand.

Security Features
PIN Protection: Choose a model with a PIN or password protection to prevent unauthorized use.
Theft Protection: Some robot mowers come with GPS tracking for added security against theft. If you're going to use your mower in your front garden this should be a strong consideration.

6. Price and Warranty

Budget Considerations
Initial Cost: Robot mowers vary widely in price. Set a budget and look for models that offer the best value for your money.
Long-Term Savings: Robot mowers are generally cheap to run. Replacement blades are cheap, and if well-maintained they will last for many years. Consider the long-term savings on maintenance and labor compared to traditional lawn mowing methods when thinking of your budget.

Warranty and Support
Warranty Period: Check the warranty period and what it covers. A longer warranty indicates better quality and support.
Customer Service: Look for brands with good customer service and reliable support channels.

Conclusion

Investing in a robot lawnmower is a smart decision for those looking to simplify their lawn care routine. By considering factors such as lawn size, terrain, battery life, cutting quality, safety features, and budget, you can find the perfect robot lawnmower to meet your needs. Embrace the future of lawn care and enjoy a beautifully maintained lawn with minimal effort!

If you're still unsure about which robot mower will work best for you - check our robot mower chooser. Answer a few simple questions and it will recommend mowers for you.